“Heya Benji,” she said. In six days she’d be going to Europe, stationed there for two years.
“Hi Dawn,” Benji breathed. She put her arms around his neck.
Their history was dotted by declarations of friendship. Countless times, Benji or Dawn had set the other up for dates with their friends; they had dated each other for four months. Last spring, Benji’s girlfriend-of-the-moment broke up with him when she saw Dawn kiss him. Dawn was graduating and leaving for the army in eleven day’s time when it happened, but everyone knew they never really got over each other.
“I have to tell you something.”
She stood in front of him and behind him. She would never get to tell him if it wasn’t now, and he’d never know unless she opened her mouth for something other than his tongue.
“Benji, I wanna go to Germany. I wanna go really bad.” He nodded. “But I don’t wanna go to Germany just the same.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I... I wish my leave had been longer. I wish I didn’t have to go so soon.” She played with the longer bits of his hair at the nape of his neck. “There are so many people here I want to see more of before I leave. And I wanna see you.”
Several years had been building up to this moment. She didn’t want to lose him again. It was now or never.
“Benji, I just want to let you know that I love you, and I mean it for real. I want you to
understand that. I’m still going to Germany, and when I get back, I’m going to find you
and I’m going to marry you.” She kissed him.
“How are you feelin’, Benji?” she asked.
He was looking up at the sky when she turned to him. He had a look on his face.
“Benji?”
Suddenly he grinned. Benji blushed. “You’re gonna come back and find me...?”
Dawn hopped down to the sparsely grassy ground, crouched near his head. “Yup.”
This time, he kissed her. Funny how proposals can work out.
"Forever," Benji said quietly.
In the meantime, there was nothing else they could say, and no time for finding words. They had only six days.